Think you can get away with some tired roses and a box of candy? Nope. Not this year tiger.
As trite as it may seem, there’s a point to all this chocolate-coated, beribboned madness each February 14th — to force us out of our sweatpants and into some flattering candlelight. Consider it an opportunity to romance that snoring, drooling darling of yours and remember exactly why you feel in love in the first place. Cause it certainly wasn’t the morning breath. Or the TEAM PORK t-shirt she wears every night to bed (um yeah, I love that shirt).
Your best bet: Eats and drinks to get each other in the mood. Chefs and winemakers all over the county have concocted some sure-fire menus to get your hearts racing. The rest is up to you.
TOP PICKS
(SATURDAY) Cyrus for Lunch: In a city where foodies run rampant, Valentine’s Day is one of the toughest reservations of the year. Which is why two-star Michelin restaurant, Cyrus is doing a special one-time only lunch seating on February 13, 2010 from 11:30 to 1:30pm. Reservations required: reservations@cyrusrestaurant.com or 707-433-3311. 29 North St., Healdsburg, (707) 433-3311. See the menu.
(SUNDAY) Bella Winery: Get (fake) Hitched! No, the winery doesn’t do real weddings, but this Valentine’s day, you can drag your lagging sweetheart to the alter for some faux nuptials complete with veils, rings and top hats. But what shotgun wedding wouldn’t be complete without and Elvis impersonator? Yep, expect lots of antics, wine guzzling and hip swaying. And we hear Elvis isn’t bad either. Winery open from 11am to 4:30pm Sunday. $10 tasting, book your time at the chapel by calling 866.572.3552.
(SUNDAY) Landmark Vineyards Wine and Sushi
: Shiso Catering dishes up
sushi to order from the Live Sushi Bar. Landmark wines pair with
oyster shooters to sushi rolls and fresh sashimi. Stick around for sips
by the roaring fire and live music by local musician, Adam Traum. 101
Adobe Canyon Rd. Kenwood. 11am to 4pm, 833-0226.
(SUNDAY) Hopmonk: Cabaret Burlesque Dinner includes a
three-course meal (choice of salad, pork tenderloin with fig compote,
vegetarian moussaka and chocolate cheesecake), $125 per couple, 5pm.
Singles can attend standing room only (no meal) for $15 per person. 230
Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, 829-7300.
(SUNDAY) Syrah Bistro: “Getting married was the best thing I
ever did,” says chef Josh Silvers, who will feature a four course
Valentine’s dinner featuring Tomales Bay Oysters, lobster bisque,
crispy Kurobuta pork belly with shrimp and purple grits, quail egg and
huckleberry sauce; ahi tuna, seared foie gras, pan-raosted Liberty Duck
Breast, filet mignon..whew! and a dessert tasting plate for two. $85
per person plus tax and 18% gratuity. Optional wine pairing $40. 205
5th Street, Santa Rosa.
(SUNDAY): Bistro 29: Four-course menu selection includes: Beet
Soup with blood orange crème fraiche, tartine of fried egg with lardo
on a brioche crouton, oysters on the half-shell, rack of lamb, ribeye
steak, seared diver scallops, raspberry crème caramel. 620 5th Street
Santa Rosa, 546-2929.
(SUNDAY) Topel Winery’s Blend Your Own Class:
Winemaker Mark Topel and Wine Gal Ziggy Eschliman lead participants
through the nuances of wine blending and help each couple create their
very own wine blend. $75 per person/$100 per couple and includes one
bottle of specially blended wine plus appetizers. Reservations
required: 433-4116.
(SUNDAY) Zazu Restaurant + Farm: Four-course tasting menu:
Kusshi Oysters, Duck Brodo, Sappho’s Greek Salad, Dungeness Crab al
Diavola, Honey Marinated Quail al ‘mattone,’ Rib Eye Steak, Sonoma
Lamb, Porcini Tagliatelle, Strawberry & Rose Pavlova. Seating
begins at 5pm, 69 per person, before beverage, gratuity, tax. 3535
Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa. Reservations recommended, 523-4814.
(SATURDAY) Heart-shaped Red Velvet Cakes for two ($7) and heart-shaped raspberry macarons:
Dominique’s Sweets. Cake orders must be in by Feb. 11 (843-9765 or
dominquesweets.com). Macarons and pies at the Santa Rosa Farmer’s
Market (Vet’s Memorial Building) 8:30am to noon Saturday.
(SATURDAY): Amorosa Bella Valentine wine tasting and a hand massage with fragranced soy massage candles. Noon to 3pm, Traverso’s Gourmet Market. 2097 Stagecoach Rd, Santa Rosa.
MORE GREAT EVENTS
(FRI/SAT/SUN) French Garden Restaurant: Mark Malicki returns to the kitchen, serving up a tasty 3-course prix fixe menu on Sunday featuring a velutta of cream and lobster, chilled oysters, Dungeness crab for two, lamb you can eat with a spoon (?), warm chocolate souffle, a pine needle pot d’creme and more ($60pp). If your wallet’s a little thinner, check out the chef’s prix fixe special on Friday and Saturday for $35 or the “sexy bar menu” of small plates in the Bistro Bar. 8050 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 824-2030.
(SAT/SUN)
Josef’s Restaurant and Bar: 3-course gourmet dinner
Saturday, 2/13 & Sunday, 2/14 featuring Chef Josef’s famous Lobster
Bisque, Winter Root Risotto, Roasted Rack of Lamb marinated w/ garlic
& fresh herbs, Scallops & Prawns and decadent chocolate
desserts. $59 – $69 per person. Josef’s Restaurant & Bar, 308
Wilson Street, Santa Rosa. Reservations: 571-8664.
(FRI/SAT/SUN
) Vintner’s Inn: Dinner at John Ash & Co. On
Friday & Saturday, select from “passion-inspired” specials designed
by Executive Chef Thomas Schmidt. On Sunday, enjoy a three-course, prix
fixe dinner
$52/person, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. Keep
the fire going at the Vintners Inn, just steps away down a cobblestone
path. Reservations Highly Recommended
(707) 575-7350.
(FRI/SAT/SUN) Dry Creek Kitchen: Six-course Valentine’s Weekend Tasting Menu.
Select from: Kumomoto Oysters And American Sturgeon Caviar; ‘J’
Sparkling Mignonette Sorbet, Frozen Bed; Hamachi Duo Flash Seared and
Crudo, Wild Arugula, House Pickled Fresh Ginger, Black Hawaiian Sea
Salt; Crimson And Ivory Soup, Roasted Red Beets, Slow Roasted White
Leeks, Duck Proscuitto; Maine Lobster And Crisp Skin Bass Local
Watercress, Black Salsify, Saffron Consomme; Truffle Crusted Filet
Mignon, Wild Mushrooms, Yukon Gold Potato Mousseline, Black Truffle
Jus; And Red Velvet Cake, Mascarpone Mousse for dessert. 5:30 to 10
p.m. on Friday & Saturday, Feb. 12-13; and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on
Sunday, February 14. Each course is paired with a special selection
from Dry Creek Kitchen’s wine collection.. Dry Creek Kitchen is
adjacent to Hotel Healdsburg at 317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg,
431-0330 Sunday.
(SUNDAY) La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge: Four course prix-fixe dinner
includes soup or spinach salad, crostini or eggplant appetizer, pizza
and heart-shaped gelato dessert. Or just stop in for a special
valentine wine flight with gelato. $32 for prix fixe dinner, 2pm to
10pm, 151 Petaluma Boulevard South, Theater Square, Petaluma, 763-6363.
(SUNDAY BRUNCH/DINNER) Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa: Valentine
Sunday Brunch, 10:30am to 2pm, $27.95. Four course Valentine’s Dinner
in the Terrace Grille. $43 per person + tax & gratuity. Flamingo
Conference Resort & Spa, 2777 4th St., Santa Rosa, 545-8530.
(SUNDAY) Kunde Valentine’s Food and Wine Pairing
: Kenwood’s
Kunde Winery dishes up Gewurztraminer with seared sea scallops with
strawberry avocado relish; Dry Jack Risotto and sauvignon blanc;
braised beef shortribs with syrah and more. 1pm, $50 per person, $40
club members. RSVP to Stephanie Franci – stephanie@kunde.com
707-282-1534. Reservations required.
(SUNDAY) Now That’s Amore at VJB Vineyards & Cellars:
Heart-warming reds paired with Owner & Executive Chef Maria
Belmonte’s pasta. Finish up with a dolce of Barbera port paired with
Valentine chocolate. 11am to 4pm, $10, VJB Vineyards & Cellars,
9077 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 833-2300.
(SUNDAY) Olive Oyl & Focaccia at Cornerstone Sonoma: Celebrate the
Olive Season Finale with warm rosemary, olive oil and dried tomato
focaccia, baked in an outdoor pizza oven. Then, wander among the shops
where owners have devised their own recipes. Free admission.
Cornerstone Gardens, 23570 Highway 21, Sonoma.
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Did I miss your event? Chances are I’ve missed a whole lot of other great activities and romantical events (seeing how I’ll be at Driven Raceway with McNibs on the big night eating french fries and pizza…talk about love). Add yours below!
McNibs thinks they’re dumb, too. But when you’re reduced to using cheesy stock photos, it seems only right to add ridiculous captions. I was inspired by a desperate urge to write little word bubbles on the Chrome Lotus photos but held back. I’ll refrain a bit for the haters. But I still think they’re funny.
I think the captions are hilarious! Especially the one about odd eye makeup choices.
A fun and unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Eve….
Ellington Hall’s Sweet Romance- A Valentine’s Event
Saturday, February 13th at 8 PM.
SWEET=Decadent Dessert ROMANCE=Sweetheart Dance Lesson
Ellington Hall dance instructors will teach a fun and easy romantic dance lesson… a great way to celebrate Valentines Day with your special someone. After the lesson, decadent dessert will be served, accompanied by music for dancing. A photographer will be on hand to get romantic shots. Come by after dinner…. no dancing experience necessary…
* Ellington Hall is located at 3535 Industrial Drive Ste. B4 in Santa Rosa.
* The price for Ellington Hall’s Sweet Romance is $50 per couple, (payable at the door)
To reserve your spot, or for more information, contact Clay at 707.545.6150 Ext. 36 or clay@gotswing.com
http://ellingtonhall.com/content/page.php?id=22
OK, the cutsey little captions you’re putting in your photos is getting tiring. Please stop.